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C° .^J^l' ' 




Rev. Daniel Fuller 



The DIARY of the Rev<! 

DANIEL FULLER 

With his Account of His Family 

& other matters. Written at Gloucefter, in 

Maffacblifetts, circa 1775, & edited 

by his Grandfon, Daniel 

Fuller Appleton. 



One hundred copies imprinted for private diftribu- 
tion, at the De Vinne Press, No. 12 La- 
fayette Place, in the City ot 
New- York. 1894.. 






One hundred copies printed, of which 
this is No. (tjO 



THE REV. DANIEL FULLER, my mater- 
nal grandfather, lived between the years 1740 
and 1829. He was graduated at Harvard 
College ; was ordained a clergyman of the Congre- 
gational Church, January 10, 1770, having been called 
as associate pastor of the west parish of Gloucester, 
Massachusetts, in 1769. Becoming full pastor on the 
death of the Rev. Richard Jaques in 1777, he con- 
tinued in this ministration — his only parish — for 
fifty years. 

He was a typical country parson of the old school, 
" passing rich on forty pounds a year." (His salary 
was actually seventy pounds a year, and the use of the 
parsonage wood-lot ; but during the War of the 
Revolution, and again during the second Avar with 
England, when by reason of distress and poverty his 
people were unable to meet their pecuniary obliga- 
tions to him, he remitted this amount and encour- 
aged his flock to bear the hardships incident to 
their struggle for liberty and their rights.) 

His biography is given modestly and succinctly 
in his own words in the manuscript written for his 



4 



Diary of the Rev! Daniel Fuller. 



children's information, "that they might not be igno- 
rant of their hneage and descent," which is reprinted 
in these pages ; and to his own words I do not see that 
I can add anything. His sons and daughters to the 
third and fourth generation have risen up to call him 
blessed, according to the scriptural promise, and his 
and their seed are like the sands of the sea on many 
shores. And his exact and conscientious methods, 
love of literal truth, his patriotism and exaltation in 
the self-sacrifice and achievements of his compatriots 
in the War of the Revolution, to whose patriot sol- 
diery he contributed his ministrations as voluntary 
chaplain, are sufficiently displayed in the diary now 
reprinted from the original in my possession. 

Upon their arriving at the age of fourteen years, 
he "bound" (after the custom of the day, and as 
he was himself bound) his male children to reput- 
able artisans, that each might learn a useful trade, 
trusting to their own bents to lead them, as his own 
bent had led himself, to seek education and a learned 
profession, if so it pleased Providence. Although 
holding himself in line with the rigid tenets of his 
vocation, he was not wanting in that sense of humor 
which was often the amenity of the hard regimen of 
the Puritan pastor, and he used to tell of a poor 
man who came to him one spring to be married, 



Diary of the Rev^ Daniel Fuller. 

offering, in payment for that service, to plant his pota- 
toes ! The service was rendered, and in the fall of 
the same year the man came back and offered to dig 
and harvest the potatoes if the parson would unmarry 
him. To which Mr. Fuller replied that the knot he 
had fixed in the spring was one " which you could 
tie with your tongue, but could not untie with your 
teeth ! " He died at the house of his son Benjamin, 
in Dorchester, May 23, 1829. The meeting-house 
where he preached for half a century was, as appears 
from the picture of it here reproduced, a great barn- 
like structure, built, after the stern fashion of the day — 
foursquare and without the slightest amelioration of 
its lines, — of timbers rudely hewn from the inclosing 
forests. It has now entirely disappeared, but its site 
is the wildest and rockiest of spots to-day, and repels 
by the rugged barrenness of its desolation. 

His youngest daughter, Sarah (born January 29, 
1787; died January 7, 1872), married November 15, 
1807, my father, James Appleton, then of Gloucester, 
afterward Brigadier-General of Massachusetts State 
Troops. Although a Federalist by connection and po- 
litical preference, and so opposed to the policy which 
precipitated the second war with England, as soon as 
his country had committed itself to that war, General 
Appleton promptly volunteered his services in the field. 



Diary of the Rev^' Daniel Fuller. 

He served during that war as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Gloucester Regiment — certified as the Second Regi- 
ment, First Brigade, Second Division, of the Massa- 
chusetts Line. He twice, at the engagements of 
Sandy Bay and of Gallup's Folly, in 1814, repelled 
attacks of the British fleet under Sir George Colier 
upon the city and forts of Gloucester, for which ser- 
vices he was borne as of the same rank upon the 
rolls of the Regular Army of the United States. He 
subsequently was promoted Colonel, and Brigadier- 
General of the First Brigade, Second Division, of the 
Massachusetts Line, being honorably discharged as 
of that rank, June 15, 1827. 

It will be seen that, in his chronological account, my 
grandfather finds his first ancestor in Thomas Fuller, 
the emigrant who, according to his own verses, came 
to New England in 1638 out of curiosity, intending 

... to ftay one Year 
And here to ftay no more. 



This Mr. Thomas Fuller, however, stayed to some 
purpose, and has other claims to be remembered by 
his posterity than as a writer of verses. Among the 
earliest settlers of Middleton, he became one of its most 
considerable and wealthiest proprietors, and a large 
part of that town his descendants have occupied and 



Diary of the Rev! Daniel Fuller. 

improved to this day. Here he founded the second 
iron-working establishment in the present limits of 
the United States, iron having been discovered in the 
boggy soil thereabouts. And it is a singular fact, too, 
that the only earlier iron-works in the country were 
owned and operated in the neighboring town of Sau- 
Sfus, from ore taken from the same character of soil 
by Samuel Appleton, another ancestor of the Ipswich 
family into which the daughter of Daniel Fuller mar- 
ried. Among his descendants were many whose 
names have an interest other than local : Archelaus, a 
brother of the Rev. Daniel Fuller, the writer of the 
Diary, who was an aide-de-camp on General Wash- 
ington's staff, and a member of the First, Second, 
and Third Continental Congresses. He died, at the 
early age of forty-five years, from disease contracted 
in the Quebec campaign. Of later date, the famous 
Margaret Fuller Ossoli was a descendant. 

THE Diary here reprinted comes to me written 
in my grandfather's characteristically neat chirog- 
raphy, in a blank book of the size followed in this 
reprint, and bound in the familiar pigskin vellum of 
that date. This book he had used in his college days 
in studying trigonometry and the advanced problems 
of land-surveying, and in dividing and plotting in the 



Diary of the Rev^ Daniel Fuller. 

now obsolete science of " Dialling," which was the 
art of constructing sun-dials. In this forgotten sci- 
ence the diagrams in the book before me are most 
elaborately and carefully drawn, and the rules for as- 
certaining the exact hour, not only by day but by 
night, are extremely intricate and interesting, and set 
down in very careful penmanship. 

This exercise-book survived college days, and Mr. 
Fuller utilized its blank pages thereafter as a common- 
place book, in which to note points for his sermons, 
historical items of passing or permanent interest to 
him, matters to him of unusual reference, etc., together 
with such memoranda of political records of his day, 
and of the then growing Federal commonwealth, as 
the following: 

The President chosen 4th of December but his presidency 
is not entered up untill y' 4th of March. The election is to 
be once in four years. Mr. Thomas Jefferson chosen Presi- 
dent of the United States of America by Ballot 1803. The 
judges are appointed by y^ Confederate Congress. 

Here also are the laboriously copied accounts of a 
trial for witchcraft, of a case of religious frenzy (or, 
as he labels it, "an Enthusiasm") in South Carolina, 
and the like, and many reflections of his own as to 
"Aftectation," " Profanity," " Dress," etc., etc. 

Upon such l)lank pages, or portions of pages, as still 



Diary of the Rev^ Daniel Fuller. 

remained, Mr. Fuller commences, in the momentous 
days of 1775, to note the stirring and stormy events 
which began to transpire and thicken about him. 
Most interesting of all are the simple entries of events 
then incidental, but since of such momentous impor- 
tance — the item : 

April 19, 1775. This day we were alarmed Upon y° de- 
fcent of a Party of Regulars leaving Boflon very early, when 
arived at Lexington they killed Several Perfens and did 
other Mifchief. 

and, in immediate juxtaposition, the following : 

The Widow Stevens with her daughter, Son Samuel & 
wife moved to my houfe. 

That was the shot fired by the "embattled farmers" 
"heard round the world." 
Again : 

June 17th, 1775. The Provincials & Regular Troops from 
Bofton had a very fmart engagement at Bunkers Hill 
Charleflown. 



So quietly did my ancestor note a day and an 
event upon which, in the glowing diction of Daniel 
Webster, "all subsequent history has poured its Hght." 

Here, too, are the notes of his itineraries taken as 
voluntary chaplain among the patriot soldiers gath- 



lO 



Diar}^ of the Rev? Daniel Fuller. 



ered about Charlestown and Boston, faithfully and 
often fantastically grouped with domestic and pastoral 
details, New^ Year and family calls and visitations, 
and the like. 

Of course the items relating to the war in precincts 
remote from his own environment were written in 
later, and partook of the old purpose of the common- 
place book. But the dates are always, as was the 
writer's wont, as exact and brief as are those within his 
personal knowledge, his dislike for anything savoring 
of exaggeration or possible misinformation being curi- 
ously indicated in one or two instances, where, having 
set down the valuation of a prize captured by the 
Gloucester privateers (who rendered such inestimable 
services to the patriot quartermasters) at a given fig- 
ure, he carefully erased that figure, and left the entry 
blank, on a later suspicion, perhaps, of their too gen- 
erous proportions. 

While these entries are, of course, of concern only 
to Mr. Fuller's descendants, they are of wider inter- 
est at least in showing e\^erywhere the pride with 
which he himself and his contemporaries regarded the 
achievements of the yeoman soldiery and sailors, and 
the fervent confidence which all about him felt in the 
ultimate success of the patriot cause. In this, at any 
rate, this Diary — kept in times when, as is a very 



Diary of the Rev^! Daniel Fuller. 

conspicuous matter of fact, personal diaries were few 
and far between, and men were men of deeds rather 
than scribes — is certainly some small contribution to 
our actual history. 

Mr. Fuller's entries, it will be seen, are most fre- 
quent in the years 1775 and 1776. Perhaps the 
crowding events of subsequent years precluded much 
attention to personal records. The first and last items, 
as will be seen, are personal. But for the members 
of his family the Diary is of sufficient interest, I 
think, to warrant this effort for its preservation. 

I desire to add my acknowledgments to my nephew, 
Appleton Morgan, Esq., of New York City, a great- 
grandson of the Rev. Mr. Fuller, for his assistance in 
preparing the Diary for the printer. 

Daniel Fuller Appleton. 



Ipswich, Massachusetts, 
July I, 1894. 



A Chronological Account of the 




Family and Defcendants of 




Thomas Fuller. 




A 





A Chronological Account of the Family 
and Defcendants of Thomas Fuller. 



IT is very unaccountable that there are fo many of 
the firft fettlers of this country who have been fo 
defficient in giving us thier defcendants an Account 
of thier family, the Place of thier Nativity, the Place 
of thier Firft Settlement here, and the occafion of their 
emigration &c in writing; when, at the fame Time it 
does appear from Tradition, in fome Cafes, that they 
were not unacquainted with Letters and the Art of 
Writing. 

It appears from Tradition, that my great grandfather 
by My Father's fide, Thomas Fuller & great great- 
grandfather by my mother's fide had fomewhat of a 
Poetical Turn of Mind : for I have collected a Few 
Verfes from Aged People, faid to be his compofition, 
that he was urged to allow them to be carried to the 
Prefs, but the matter was never accompliflied. 

That you, my dear Children, might not be altogether 
Ignorant of your lineage and Defcent from this com- 
mon ftock, of the Defign of his coming to New Eng- 
land 



i6 



Diary of the Rev^ Daniel Fuller. 



land (which feems to have been out of curiofity, for 
he defigned to have tarried but one year,) the occa- 
fion of his tarrying here (which was, it alfo feems, on 
account of Rehgion) And of the Bleffings that have 
followed his Offfpring to the fourth and fifth genera- 
tion, for I have never known or heard that any of his 
feed have been put to the hard Neceffity of begging 
thier Bread. On this Account, I have been at the 
pains of collecting and now commit to writing the 
following chronological Account. 

In the year 1620, in y*" month of December the 
Plymouth Company arrived at old Plymouth in New 
England. And about eighteen years after — in 1638 
— Thomas Fuller came to a place then called Salem 
Village, now called Middleton — 1638. There he pur- 
chafed a Tract of wild land, built a Houfe near a Streem 
about half a mile below Middleton Pond fouth of 
Wilts Hill. His houfe was near the fpot where the 
Revd Mr. Smith now lives. He had fix fons and one 
Daughter, Thomas, John, Jacob, Benjamin, Jofeph, 
Samuel, and Ruth. — Thomas 2nd had fix fons 
Thomas, Jonathan, John, Jofeph, William and Ste- 
phen. No Daughters. John the firft no Sons, two 
Daughters. Jacob Second, two fons. Edward and 
Jacob, and three daughters, Mary, Betty and Sarah. 
Benjamin r' two fons Samuel (married a Bacon, 
December 15"' 1685) and Benjamin, and four Daugh- 
ters Sarah, Ruth, Abigail and Hannah. Jofeph the 

firft 



Diary of the Rev4 Daniel Fuller. 



firft and Samuel the firft, were not married. Ruth ift 
married a Wheeler. She left only one Daughter, Ruth. 
Thomas 3"^, married a Baxton, (and had) three sons 
John, Jofeph and Timothy, four Daughters, Elizabeth, 
Ruth, Mary and Lydia. Samuel 2""^ (had) three fons, 
James, Jofhua and Samuel, and three Daughters, 
Mary, Miriam and Abigail. (Thefe are my Father's 
Brother's children.) Benjamin 2nd married Mary 
Fuller — (Thos 3rds daughter) (and had) fix fons, 
Archelaus, Daniel ifl, Andrew ifl, Elijah thefe three 
lafl died young 2nd Daniel 2nd Andrew. Two 
Daughters Sarah died when fhe was about thir- 
teen years old, and one child ftill born. Archelaus 
I ft (had) three fons, Elijah, Benjamin, Daniel. Elijah 
died a little after he was out of his time. Five 
Daughters. Sarah and Hannah, by his firft wife. 
Hannah, Richardfon, Betty, Sarah and Mary, Ben- 
jamin and Daniel by his fecond wife, Betty Putnam, 
widow (maiden name Dale). Hannah married Jofeph 
Hutchinfon. They had four fons Elijah, Jofeph, 
Archelaus and Levi. Betty Putnam (had) two daugh- 
ters Betty and Lucy. Sarah Putnam had two daugh- 
ters, Sarah and Elizabeth, and three fons, Ifrael, 
Fuller, and Samuel. 

Daniel (myfelf), born September ift, 1740. At about 
fourteen years of age I was put an apprentice to 
Jofeph Fuller of Middleton, carpenter and ftiipjoiner. 
At about feventeen began to learn Latin. At twenty, 

about 



Diary of the Rev? Daniel Fuller. 



about the year 1760, I entered Cambridge College, 
and took my firft degree in 1764. The fpring before, 
myfelf and brother Andrew took the fmallpox by 
enoculation at Charleftown. I kept fchool at Old 
Hampton, New Hampfhire, 1765, and at Haverhill, 
Maffachufetts, 1767. Removed to my Fathers, fludied 
Divinity, and took my fecond Degree 1766. Began to 
preach 1768. Came to preach at Cape Ann July 
1769. Was ordained colledge paftor with the Rev"* 
Richard Jaques, fecond church Gloucefter, January 
10"' 1770. Auguft 14"' was married to Hannah 
Bowers, born September 17, 1750 the daughter of the 
Rev*^ Benjamin Bowers of Middleton, Conneticut. 
December 1750 began to keep Houfe at Cape Ann. 
Houfe formerly Rev. Mr. Jaques's. Aug. 27"^ 1771 
our eldefl daughter Hannah Peters, was born. Aug. 
27, 1773 Daniel was born. February 27, 1776, Ben- 
jamin was born. April i, 1770 Elijah was born. Sep- 
tember II, 1780 Archelaus was born. October 22"'* 
1782 Samuel Newell was born. February 18, 1785, 
Mary was born. June 27"' 1787, Sarah, was born. 
My son Daniel at about the age of fourteen years went 
to live with Capt. David Hinkley at New Braintry, 
returned home Auguft, 1793. Benjamin at about the 
age of fifteen years was Bound to John Mycall of New- 
berry to learn the art of Printing. Elijah at about the 
age of fourteen years went to live with Mr. Jofeph 
Wood, Cape Ann Harbor, to learn the Tin Man's 

Trade. 



Diary of the Rev^ Daniel Fuller. 



Trade. Archelaus at about the age of fixteen years 
went to Newberry port to learn the art of Portrait Paint- 
ing &c of Mr. Benjamin Tucker. Samuel at about 
the age of fourteen went to Bridgton near Port Land to 
live with his brother Daniel in trade. Benjamin, Jan- 
uary I'' 1798 Hired a ftore in Boflon, near to Boflon 
Stone. He was married to Marcia Beal of Boflon, 
July 13'^ 1800. 

Middle haddam, Connecticut, New England. 
Rev'' Benjamin Bowers was born March 7, 17 13- 14. 
Sarah Newhall, his wife, was born January 17"' 
1718-19. 

Their Children 

1 Benj" born July 16, 1743 

2 Sarah " Aug i" 1745 

3 Hannah, born June 2"'' 1745 

4 Jonathan, born May 19, 1749 

Died Oct. 17"" 1749 

5 Hannah Born Sept 1750 

6 Mary born Oct 16* 1752 

7 Jonathan born Oct 15* 1754 

8 Lydia born July 11, 1756 

Mrs Bowers departed this life July 31, 1757, 5 
o'clock p m. 

Sarah departed this life Oct 26 — 1766. 

The Rev'' Benjamin Bowers departed this life May 
10, 1761. 



The Meditations 

and Experiences of 

Tho' Fuller of Salem Village, 

Now Called Middleton, 

with his Advice to 

his Children in 

Verfe(i638) 



The 



The Meditations and Experiences of Tho' 
Fuller of Salem Village, Now Called 
Middleton, with his Advice to his Chil- 
dren in Verfe (1638) 



In thirty eight I fet my foot 

Upon New England's fhore 

My thoughts were then to ftay one Year 

And here to ftay no more. 

II 

But by the preaching of God's word 
By famous Shepherd. He 
In what a woful ftate I was 
I then began to fee. 

Ill 

My father was an Amorite 
And I am Hittite born 
In all the blood of filthyness 
I faw myfelf folorn. 

IV Chrift 



24 Diary of the Rev^l Daniel Fuller. 



IV 



Chrift caft his Garments over me 
And all my Sins did cover 
More precious to my Soul was he 
Than deareft Friend or Lover. 



His pardoning mercy to my Soul 
All thoughts did far furmount 
The Bowells of his Love to me 
Was quite beyond account. 

VI 

Sometimes I am upon the Hill 
And I fee the City clear 
I knew twas New Jerufalem 
I was to it fo near. 

VII 

I faid thy Mountain does fland firm 
And doubtlefs t'will forever 
But when God turned his face away 
This Joy from me did fever. 



VIII 



A Mary Magdalen, of whom 
The Scriptures do us tell 



That 



Diary of the Rev<? Daniel Fuller. 

That feven Devils &: no lefs 
At once in her did dwell. 



25 



IX 

Manaffah, too, whofe fins did all 
Vile Ephrahims far exceed 
In that he cauf'd Jerufalem 
Moft cruelly to bleed. 



But oh God's mercy how timely 
It comes, to each of thefe 
Chrifl's Precious Blood fufficient was 
God's Anger to Appeafe ! 

XI 

Sure Ephraim is a pleafant Child, 
A fon to me mofl dear 
And fmce againft him I have fpoke 
My Bowells troubled are. 



XII 



Sometimes I am in mountains High, 
Sometimes in Vallies low 
The ftate that Man's in here below 
Does oft times ebb and flow. 



XIII I 



26 


Diary of the Rev^ Daniel Fuller. 




XIII 




I heard the Voice of God, by Man 
Yet Sorrows held me fall: 
But thefe my Joys did far exceed 
God heard my voice at laft. 




XIV 




Satan flung fiery darts at me 
And thought the day to win 
Becaufe he knew he had a Friend 
That always dwelt within. 




XV 




But furely God will fave my foul 
And though you Trouble have 
My Children Dear, who fear the Lord 
Your Souls at Death Will Save. 




XVI 




All Tears fhall then be wipt away 
And Joys beyond Compare, 
Where Jefus is and Angells dwell 
With every Saint you'll Share. 




Finis. 



The Diary of the 




Rev. Daniel Fuller, A. M. (Harv.) 




of Gloucefter, Maffachufetts. 




The 





The Diary of the 

Rev. Daniel Fuller, A. M. (Harv.) 

of Gloucefter, Maffachufetts. 



1775- 

THE firft of this month I & my wife went to Middle- 
ton to attend the Funeral folemnities of My Dear 
Father. We arrived fafely at my Mother's. How are 
all things changed? A Mother overwhelmed with grief, 
faying, this is Trouble fuch as I never met with before. 
A folemn meeting of Brothers. Sorrow flops y*" courfe 
of utterance. And a Paufe enfues ! That Hand & that 
Tongue which welcomed Children to a Father's houfe, 
by Reafon of Death are now filent and cold ! O cruel 
Death ! what very Friends and Lovers haft thou fepa- 
rated ? equally regardlefs of y" Widows Tears. & y*" 
Cryes of the Fatherlefs. 

" How vain are all things here below 
" How falfe and yet how fair 
" Each Pleafure has its Poifon too 
" Every fweet a Snare 

"The 



30 



Diary of the Rev^ Daniel Fuller. 



"The brightefl; things below y^ fky 
" Give but a flattering Ught 
" We (hould expect fome Danger nigh 
" When we Poffefs Delight." 

After Paying our laft folemn Rites to our dear 
father's Remains we returned, and thro' y*" Goodnefs of 
God to ufward find our family well — May not y^ 
voice of y*" Dead be prefently forgot, faying to us be 
ye alfo Ready. 

About this time made an exchange with the Rev"^ 
Mr. Cutler,' cold and uncomfortable Weather for y^ 
Seafon. Toward y*" latter End of this month two fnow 
ftorms. 



Mair/i 1 6, 
1775- 



The Rev'' Mr. Chandler Departed this Life (who 
was 14 years minifler of y^ Firft Chr. in Gloucefter) 
in y^ 85 year of his age. 



March 22, 
1775- 



About this Time preached for y" Rev'' Mr. Tappan 
Newbery. 



March 24, 
1775- 



The Britifli Troopes Evacuated Boflon, New Eng- 
land. Six thoufand in number — Experienced War- 
riors for Nova Scotia. 

This 



Manasseh Cutler, of the Hamlets, now Hamilton, Member of Congress, author 
of the Ordinance of 1787, and promoter of first settlement of Ohio. 



Diary of the Rev4 Daniel Fuller. 

This day we were alarmed Upon y'' defcent of a 
Party of Regulars leaving Boflon very early, when 
arived at Lexington they killed Several Perfens and 
did other Mifchief. 

The Widow Stevens with her daughter, Son Samuel 
& wife moved to my houfe. 

People in this Parifh chiefly employed in removing 
Houfe Hold Furniture and Provifion of all kinds from 
y^ Harbours to this Place. Preached, but very few 
people attended, the flight was on the Sabbath. The 
Horrid Maffacre committed by the fore mentioned 
Regulars under the command of Col. Smith greatly 
alarmed us. Never faw fuch a Sabbath before. 
The ever to be dreaded Sword of Civil War is drawn. 
The Lord grant y' it may be fpeedily fheathed again. 

Mr. Jofiah Quincy arrived at our Harbor from 
England and Soon after died on bord the fhip. The 
guns at Penopfliut fort taken away by General Gage's 
Order. 



The Harbour Chh and Parifli in order to Refettle a 
Gofpel Minifler — kept this day as a Day of Fad- 
ing and Prayer. Prefent the Rev'^ Mr Roggers of 
Town, who preached A. M. The Rev'^ Mr Cleaveland 
who made the Firft Prayer. P. M. and myfelf Clofed 
with Prayer. 

I 



Diary of the Rev? Daniel Fuller. 



April 2 
1775- 



I and my wife Dined at Col'. Peter Coffins in com- 
pany with the Rev'' Eh Forbes & Wife, the Rev"* 
Obadiah Parfons & wife. The above faid Mr. 
Quincey was interred at the Harbour Parifh. He had 
been to England on publick Bufmefs, had feveral 
Conferences with Lord North and Dartmouth — much 
was expected from fo Ingenious and intelligent a Man. 
But we are deprived of it, — a great power of Provi- 
dence at fuch a critical Time. 



May I, 
i7'7S- 



Hired a man to fet fome Grafts, tranfplanted fome 
Mulberry and Apple trees. 



May 2, 
'775- 



May 3, 
1775- 



Walked to Chebacco to attend the Rev'' John Cleave- 
lands Quarterly Faft. Minifler's Prefent the Rev'' Eli 
Forbes — the Rev'' Eben Cleaveland. The Rev'' 
Obidiah Parfons & my felf. 

The Rev" Eli Forbes & Lady & Col. Coffin's 
Lady were at my Houfe. 



May 7, 
I77S- 



Sowed Some Hay Seed. We are Credibly in- 
formed that the People of New York and New Jerfey 
have taken New York Fort from the Poffeffion of the 
King's troops, and have Prevented General Gage's 
veffels from importing any thing from thence. 



May 7, 
1775- 



Sacrament day. 



Went 



w 




A Virii) of I he Old Chiirrh nf WesI l\jrisli,C,liniC':'>er. Aln'S. 
limit 1714. 



Diary of the Rev? Daniel Fuller. 

Went to fee Mr. Urion Stevens fick of a Feaver. 
Stoped at John Hafkell's Widow's, two Families in her 
Chamber one of the Children an Infant very ill. 

Vifited at Arion Hafkells at David Hafkell's & at the 
Rev"^ Mr. Jaques's & Sons. Their youngeft Daughter 
Dangeroufly ill. 

Continental Congrefs is to meet at Philadelphia. 
The Provincial Congrefs have agreed to have a 
Standing army ftationed at Cambridge to confift of 
30000 men. Connecticut fends 6000 Rodiland 1500. 

A day of humbleft fafting and prayer over the 
Province. 

Had my garden Plowed and dug by Caleb Lufkin. 
The General Affembly of Connecticut have Refolved 
y' an Embargo be placed upon the exportation by 
Water of Wheat, Rye, Indian Corn, Pork, Beef, Live 
Cattle, Peas, Beans, Bread, Flower, & every kind 
of Meal to continue to 20 of May. Senators of the 
Congrefs of America are appointed by the individual 
States. 

Rev Eben Cleaveland at my Houfe. Exchanged 
with him. 

Hannah Peters went to School — Rev'' Mr Parfons 
& wife & Daughter at my houfe. Times very dif- 
treffmg, more Troops arrived, & more expected. 

Trees 



34 



Diary of the Rev^ Daniel Fuller. 



Afay 1 6, 
1775- 



May 29, 

1775' 



May 30, 
1 775' 



June 3, 

1775- 



Trees full in their BlolTom. Profpect of a Fruitful 
year. Planting & Sowing my garden. 

Rode to Middleton in Company with Ifrael Eveleth, 
met an Alarm upon Cheboffet Caufeway, it was faid a 
Body of Regular Troops were landed & landing at 
Wefl Beach Beverley. It proved was Falfe. Dined at 
the Rev^ Mr Willard's, flept at My Mother's. 

Rode to Water-Town. Rev"^ Dr Langdon Preached 
an election Sermon. Rode to Weftown flept at y"" 
Widow Gibbs with y*^ Rev'' Mr Wadfworth. 

The Rev"^ Mr Stevens, of Kittery Preached at 
Watertown to the Convention of Minifters we agreed 
to preach as Chaplins by Rotation thro' the Province 
to y^ Provincial Army at Cambridge. Rode to Cam- 
bridge. Dined at Major Ezra Putnam's. Stroled a litde 
about Town. The Troops have made Barracks of y" 
Colleges. Stoughton Southweft Corner Second Story 
this Chamber converted into a Printing office. The 
foldiers in High Spirits, fickly among y""- Attended 
y" Funeral of one of y'"- Rhode down to y*" Stone 
Houfe, faw fome Indians belonging to y'^ Camp, doleful 
appearance y made indeed ! Viewed y*" Fortifica- 
tions. Returned to Middleton. 

The Latter End of laft week & y*" Beginning of this 
Colonel Putnam with a Small Detachment brought 

from 



Diary of the Rev4 Daniel Fuller. 

from Hog & Noddles' Iflands Five Hundred Sheep, 
a Number of Cows & Horfes, & Since that more 
from Dear Ifland a little below, burnt an armed 
fchooner, took a fmall boat with three or four men in 
Her. Set Boat & Men in y^ Boat into a Waggon 
drove to Cambridge all this without y^ lofs of a Man. 

Two tranfports lay off in Ipfwich bay. 

Vifited at Mr Bynton's. 

Exchanged with Mr Toppan of Manchefter at 
Marble Head Harbor a few Men retake a veffel loaded 
with Molaffes & other Weftindia goods from a Man 
of War in y' Night which the Man of War Men did 
not difcover until fome Time Next Day. 

We are credibly informed y' at Noodle's Ifland two 
Provincials being fort with Cannon from a Man of 
War, they ventured fo near as to return y^ Fire with 
thier mufkets, it is faid killed a Man upon y^ Shrouds 
took up fome of thier Shott and walked off unhurt. 



Went to Beverly to fetch the News Papers. Met 
Cap" Collins's Company in the way to Cambridge, And 
a Number of Harbour Gentle Men at Manchefter at 
Dea° Aliens Tavern — we Rode up in Marfhall order, 
Major Rogge led the Van, & Major Whittemore 
brought up the Rear. 

Our 



36 



Diary of the Rev? Daniel Fuller. 



June i6, Our Troops began an Intrenchment on Bunkers 

'"5- Hill Charleftown. 



June 17, 
177S- 



July s, 
1775- 



July 6, 
1775- 

July 7, 
^ill- 



July 9, 
1775- 



July 16, 
1775- 

July 18, 
1775- 

July 19, 
1775- 



The Provincials & Regular Troops from Boflon 
had a very fmart engagement at Bunkers Hill Charlef- 
town — Charleftown at y" Same Time fuppofed to 
contain about 300 dwelling houfes befides 150 or 200 
other buildings were almoft all laid in afhes by Gen- 
eral Gage's Order. 

My Horfe Kicked one of my Leggs, by which I was 
very Lame. 

Rode in my Chaife to Col Coffin's. 

Invited to dine at Zebulon Hafkell's . . , M' Wil- 
liam Ellery at Table — Rev'^ Mr Forbes at my Houfe. 

Sabbath, not able to Preach, by Reafon of my Lame- 
nefs. 

Sabbath, my Leg very Lame. Not able to preach. 

Election of Councillors in This Province. 

Faft Day — The Continental Congrefs. North 
American Recommended a General Faft to be on this 
Day & we learn y' Twelve of our Provinces Profeffed 
Religioufly to keep the fame — Preached on Said Day. 

Mr. 



Diary of the Rev4 Daniel Fuller. 
Mr. Appleton ' of Ipfwich preached for me. 

Alarmed in this Parifh. Capt. Linfey lay off Squam 
river. Sent a barge with fifty men who attempted to 
Land on Col. Coffin's Beach ; but were Repulfed by a 
brifk firing of our People. Faft days are on Thurfdays. 

Sacrament Day. 

I, my wife and oldefl child Hannah Peters rode to 
Middleton. Found my mother & kindred well. 

I & my wife rode to Wobourn Precinct. D"" Win, 
all well Molley lately recovered from the Small Pox. 
We rode in company with Molley Win to Roxfbury, 
flopped at y^ Sine of Y" Punch Bowl. There Saw 
Father Boardman Chaplin. I rode to y"" top of Roxf- 
bury Hill, found Brother Jonathan Bowers in y^ Ser- 
vice. Slep at Jamaica Plains, I was at Rev"^ M"^ 
Gorden's. 

Lyndfey, capt of a man of war, fired it is fuppofed 
near 300 Shot at y^ Harbour Parifh. Damaged y^ 
meeting Houfe fomewhat, & fome other Buildings. 
Not a Single Perfon killed or wounded with his Can- 
non Shott. We Retook two veffels belonging to Salem, 
his barge & another Boat, alfo we took together with 

y" 



' This was the Rev. Joseph Appleton, father of the late WiUiam Appleton, 
merchant, of Boston; afterward Minister of Brookfield, Massachusetts. 



38 



Diary of the Rev4 Daniel Fuller. 



Alt gust 10, 
1775- 



August 1 1, 
1775- 



August i: 
1775- 



August 13, 
1775- 



August 15, 
1775' 



August 16, 
1775- 



y*" about thirty of thier men, with the lofs of only two 
of our Men. His Boatfwain Hkewife in attempting to 
fet the town on fire by Firing the Train of Powder to 
fome combuftable Matter prepared, providentially the 
fire was communicated to y^ powder iron in his hand 
which occafioned an explofion and it is faid he loft his 
Hand if not his Life. 

Returned to Col. Spencer's Lodging, took our Leave 
of Father Boardman & Brother Bowers. Dined at 
Capt" Eveleth's Tent. Profpect Hill. By Reafon of 
y* Rain which fell in great plenty, were prevented from 
viewing y" intrenchments upon y*" Summit of P Hill. 
Returned to Woobourn, flept at Dr Win's. 

After dinner fett off for Middleton — drank a Glafs 
of Wine at y'^ Rev. M' Haven's Reading. Slept at 
my Mother's. 

Rev'' Mr. Wadfworths, Danverfe, who engaged to 
preach by way of exchange for me the next Sabbath. 

Preached for the Rev. Mr. French, Andover, who 
preached at Beverley, for the Rev. Mr. Hitchcock at 
Danverfe. 

The Rev^ Mr. Smith's Youngefl Child died. Non- 
exportation takes place. 

We returned to our Houfe, found all well. Bleffed 

be 



Diary of the Rev4 Daniel Fuller. 



39 



be y*" Name of Our God for His Goodnefs to me & 
Mine, may it lead us to unfained Repentance & en- 
gage us to Walk with Him all y*" Days of our Lives ! 



An Armed Schooner brought into our Harbor, a 
Ship taken by a Man of War from Portfmouth bound 
to Weft Indies which it retook. 



September 7, 
1775- 



Brother and crew came to my Houfe. Left his 
Family & our Friend. 

He kept Sabbath with me. 

We rode to y*" Harbor in y" Morning. In y^ after- 
noon to Danverfe. 



Siptember 9, 
1775- 



September 10, 
I77S- 

September 1 1 , 
1775- 



Went to Middleton, Brother Archalaus & oldeft 
Son fick of Fevers. After Noon returned to my family 
& found y"" thro y'^ goodnefs of God in ufual health, 
overtook fome Rifle men on y'^ march to retake 
Quebec & the other Weftern forts now in Poffeffion 
of y" King's Troops. 

The Rev^ Mr. Williams of Newcafco came to my 
houfe, lodged with me. 

Rode to Captain Norwoods & dined there with y'= 
Rev'' Mr. Williams & Parfons of Squam. Then Rode 
to Mr. Clevelands Parifh. Lodged at Dr. Pools. 

A 



September i: 
1775- 



September 14, 
1775- 



September 16, 
1775- 



40 



October 3, 
I77S- 



October 19, 
1775- 



October 20, 
1775- 



October 30, 
1775- 



October 3 1 , 
1775- 

November 3, 





1775- 




Noveiiil'er 


27. 




1775- 




No- 


•ember 
1775- 


28, 



Diary of the Rev<? Daniel Fuller. 

A Diploma was given admitting a Number of 
Gentlemen to y' Firfl & Second Degree — About 
this time a large quantity of wood came into Squam 
River occafioned by a Frefhet in Marimac River it is 
faid enough to fupply the Parifh of Squam thro 
the Winter. 

The Canieaux — Capt Mowat, with four other armed 
Veffels, came From Bofton to Cafco Bay. 

They fet y^ town on Fire. Without any oppofition 
they attempted to fet y^ meeting houfe on Fire but did 
not fucceed. 

A Company of Five & Thirty came From Ipfwich 
to this Town to affift in fortifying our Harbour. 

We had a general Mufter in order to view Arms. 

The fort S' Johns near Montreal. This Garrifon 
Surrendered this Day, to General Montgomery. 

An Oifter Boat Retaken by Cap Bradbury Saunders, 
in our harbour. 

The Privateer Capt Manley Mafter brought into 
our Harbour Capann a Brig laden with military 
ftores valued at Thirty Thoufand pounds fterling. N. B. 
Had on Board a Fine Brafs morter weight " 27 " 2. 

& 



Diary of the Rev^ Daniel Fuller. 



41 



& fome odd Pounds, at the fame Time brought in a 
Sloop in y'' Service of y^ Minifterial troops. 

The aforefaid Privateer carried into Beverly a Ship 
laden with Sea Coal, Rum, Wine Clothing &C &C 
valued at 30.000.' 

Rode to Middleton, found my Friends in Health. 
Poor Elijah died laft Month. The Dearefl Friends 
and Relatives muft Part. May we have a happy 
meeting in y'' W"^ of Glory. 



December 3, 
1775- 



December 1: 
1775- 



Rode to Medford. And walk'd from thence to 
Winter Hill. Slept at Col. Hutchinfons Barracks. 
Saw Major Ezra Putnam fick with the jaundice. 



December 13, 
1775- 



Took a walk in the morning amongft the Barracks 
upon Winter Hill. How does the effects of Horrid 
War alter y*" appearance of Things ! Where are thofe 

beautiful Walks and valuable Nurferies of that 

once adorned this Spot ! Cut off unfinifhed by a moil; 
unnatural war. O cruel Mother Country if you may 
be fo called, come take a walk with me. Look around. 
Behold y^ Hardy, y*" ValHant fons of Freedom. In- 
trepid Warriors, tho not bred to Arms yet not in y^ 
manual Servife unfkilled. See the effect of a few 

months I 



December 14, 
1775- 



This valuarion appears to have been subsequently erased by Mr. Fuller. 



42 



Diary of the Rev^ Daniel Fuller. 



months! Commodious Barracks. Impregnable For- 
treffes. Mark yon Summit the Rights of Charlef- 
Town, there Bled — To your Dilhonor and Difgrace 
it mufl be faid ! many, many of y^ Flower of Your 
Troops. View y'= Ruins at y^ Foot of y*' Hill upon 
y*" Right Hand, of y' once Flourifhing Town, laid in 
afhes by a Tyrant's Command. Stretch your View 
further to Bofton. Think how its Inhabitants y*^ Sons 
of Freedom have deferted thier pleafant Habitations 
or profitable honeft Imployments becaufe of your cruel 
Inhumane Treatment ! See your half Famifhed 
Troops befeaging but ftrange to relate — befeaged — 
thier Tirant Mafters and Cruel Mother. 



December 15, 
1775- 



Ploughed-Hill near Charlefton Common. This fort 
is well conftructed, we erected it in the mouth of 
your cannon, and Still Hold with undaunted Cour- 
age. Cobble Hill, fouthwefl of Bunkers Hill, no op- 
pofition tho' you fee your water caftle or man of war 
lyes hard by. See there fouthward our Bufy Soldiery 
have built a Bridge & are completing a caufeway in 
order to erect a fort upon yonder point of land Leach- 
mores Point. Profpect Hill. How well prepared we 
are. You Now may fee to defend ourfelves & meet 
our Enemy. But you muft be going. Take Head, 
beware, you ftand upon Slippery ground adieu. 

I returned to Middleton — gave at Medford my 
horfe one night my horfe i8S <f. 

Returned 



Diary of the Rev^ Daniel Fuller. 



43 



Returned to Gloucefter. Capt Manly brought a prize 
into Beaverly — a lloop loaded with Corn & Oates. 

Our Privateers brought a Sloop into our Harbour 
laden with wood defigned for the befieged minifterial 
Troops in Bofton. 

Four Quaker gentlemen came from the Southward 
to this Place to relieve the Poor. 



Deceniber i6, 
1775- 



December 19, 
■775- 



December 20, 
1775- 



1776. 



The Year Begins with the continuance of an un- 
happy Civil War amongft us. 

I went to y^ Cove. Vifited at Mr, Chriftopher 
Hogg'shoufe & Mr. Bailey's, at Mr. William Mor- 
gain's & Mr. Andrews', at Mr. William Fords, & 
Mr. Andrews, at Mr.Trafk's, at Mr. Camble's — at Mr. 
Ruffell's — at Mr. Hibberts, at Captain Gilberts — at Mr. 
Jonathan Girberts' & walked home in y^ Evening. 
Very cold and Slippery. 

Preached a New Year's sermon. 

Vifited at Mr. William Allins, at Ifaac Allins, at 
Sam' Hadlocks, at Capt" Blakes, at Capt" Coofe's — at 
the Widow Stevens's, at Mr. Benj. Billiop's, at Mrs. 
Ann Hafkell's, his daughter Nemone fick of a Con- 

fumption. 



January i, 
1776. 



January 14, 
1776. 

January 15, 
1776. 



44 



January i6, 
1776. 



Jatiuary 17, 
1776. 



March 7, 
1776. 



Diary of the Rev^ Daniel Fuller. 

fumption. it Rained, very bad walking. A fhip 
from London & a Brig from Cork taken & carried 
to Newberry. 

Went to David Hafkell's again, Daughter remains 
very ill. Vifited at Mr. Daniel Hafkells. The Rev'^ 
Mr. Forbes's Wife at y*" Harbor died about 9 oclock p. m. 

Walked to y'' Harbor by y*" way of y^ Ferry, ftopped 
at the Rev"* Mr. Boggerfes, dined at Major Lows, on 
my return vifited at M' Ebeneezer Brays. Returned 
home, a very bad fnow ftorm. 

The Britifh Troops precipitately Left y*" Town of 
Bofton. The Virtue of Common Stinging Nettles, it 
is one of the moft efficient medicenes we have in the 
Vegitable Kingdom, in the form of a ftrong dicoction 
or Infufion, taken in the Quantity of a Pint in a Day 
it is a moft valuable Strengthener of a general or Par- 
ticular Relaxation. In that of a weak Infufion, it proves 
a valuable alternative or Decobftruction of the Veffels, 
and in that of expreffed Juices, taken by Spoonfulls as 
y" exigency of y^ cafe requires, it is the moft power- 
ful Stiptich in internal Bleedings known. Externally 
applied as fermentation or Poultice it amazingly dyf- 
penfes or fcatters Inflamations & refolves Swellings. 
In the common fore throat, thus applied and internally 
in a gargle great dependence may fafely be put in this 
common plant. 

One 



Diary of the Rev4 Daniel Fuller. 

One of y*" Continental Frigates of 24 guns built at 
Newbury-Port under y'' Direction of y^ Hon. Thomas 
Cufhing Efq' was launched. 

Jofeph Coward came to my Houfe to Stay with me. 

A continental Frigate of 32 guns, built at Portf- 
mouth under y' Direction of John Langdon Efq was 
launched, y'' whole time from her raifmg to y" Day of 
her launching did not exceed fixty working Days & 
was completely at her Anchors in y^ main channel in 
lefs than Six months from y^ time fhe run without y^ 
leaft hurt. 

Second Continental Fafl. 

Ruth Bray Came to my Houfe to tarry a little while. 

Independence of the United States declared. 

Battle at Trenton New Jerfey. 

Preached here. Dined at Mr. Baker's, quiete a 
fickly time with y™. Stopt at Col. Coffin's, faw y^ 
Rev'' Mr. Forbes & wife. Returned from Brookfields. 
About this time a Brior from Canida, bound to Bofton 
with live ftock and other Neceffaries for the miniflerial 
troops taken by the people of this town. 

1777. Battle 



45 



May 3, 
1776. 



May 6, 
1776. 

May 4, 
1776. 



May 17, 
1776. 

June 28, 
1776. 

July 4, 
1776. 

December 26, 
1776. 

September 17, 
1776. 



46 



August 1 6, 

mi- 



January 9, 
1778. 

February 6, 
1778. 



J"iy 5. 

'779- 



Diary of the Rev^? Daniel Fuller. 



1777. 

Battle of Bennington which Preceeded General Bur- 
goynes furrender of y'' Britifh Army to General Gates. 

1778. 

I fent fifty dollars to him ' by Mr. Jonathan Lord.'' 

A treaty of Friendfhip and Commerce Between y^ 
United States and the court of Verfailles Was Signed 
y' day. 

1779- 

An Army confifting of 2600 Troops Commander 
Governor Tryon landed at New Haven, Connec', 
where they wantonly did confiderable Damage. The 
feventh — deftroy the Town of Fairfield, burnt the 
Meeting Houfe — Done by the Refugee-Tories — The 
tenth they deftroyed Norwalk & Greenfield. Ever- 
green plants in y" Bloffom 10 of this month Manchef- 
ter— the Bafs woodtree Sweet agermony, a monthly 
Plant. Dea" Rokets paflure, in y'^ Bloffom. 



1780. 



Was 



Mr. Fuller's son Daniel. 

This entry was subsequently canceled on payment of the loan. 



Diary of the Rev^ Daniel Fuller. 



1780. 

Was interred y^ Wife of The Rev"^ Eli Forbes, who 
departed this Life y^ 6. Pall Holders y^ Rev. John 
Rogers, John Cleaveland, Benj'' Tappan, Jofeph Dana, 
Manaffah Culler, Dan' Fuller. 

About 12 oclock A. M. came on an uncommon Dark- 
nefs, fome time previous to it the Clouds arofe about 
South Weft remarkably black which Soon overfpread 
y*" Horizon. The Darknefs increafed to y*" degree t' 
we were obliged to light a Candle to dine by. This 
darknefs continued till towards y'^ Sun going down. 
The Moon fulled y" 15th, yet it was fo dark about 
Nine P. M. that in a Room where there were three 
large windows no glimpfe of light could be Perceived 
no more y" in a Dark Cellar. 

Gloucefter 2 Chu, the firft time y^ facrament ad- 
miniftered this year. 



I781. 



The Reduction of y^ Britifh Army under the Com- 
mand of Lord Cornwallis at York, Gloucefter, Virginia 
— General Walhington, commander in chief of the 
Confederate army in America. 

A 



48 



November 25, 
1781. 



November 26, 
1781. 



April 29, 
1783- 



November 17, 
1784. 



Diary of the Rev? Daniel Fuller. 

A Man of War & a Tranfport Burnt by Lightning 
in our Bay. 

A Sloop taken by the Privateers and brought into 
our Harbour loaded with Fifh & Train Oil. A violent 
Storm of fnow. 

1783- 

I rode to Ipfwich to attend upon the celebration of 
the American Peace, M' John Cleaveland read the 
Proclamation in M' Frifby's Meeting Houfe & Prayed. 
A Pfalm was Sung, After which thre Cannon were fired 
thirteen Times. The United States and French Flags 
were flying. Then all the Affembled People were 
Invited to dine. Tables fpread upon the Common. 
Then 13 Toafts were drank and Cannon Fired. Fire 
Works & Illumination were difplayed at Evening — 
Drank Tea at D' Mannings and returned. 



1784. 

Had a Suit of Clothes made — Broad Cloth not fu- 
perfine coft 1290 Dollars, making exclufive of trim- 
mings 490 — 1790 Dollars. 

1788. Bought 



Diary of the Rev<! Daniel Fuller. 


49 


1788. 




Bought for Dan' Coat, Jaecoat & Breeches £i..(^..']'\ 
Dictionary 6/ Buckels 4/ 


July 18, 
1788. 


1789. 




It being the Day of the Commencement of the Con- 
ftitution & Inauguration of the government. 


October 25, 
1789. 


1797. 




A Httle after funfet I difcovered a Winged Infect, 
the humming of his wings nearly refembled that of a 
Humbird. I noticed that in great Hafte it paffed from 
Plant to Plant, applying its hinder Part clofe to the 
Leaves, one of which I cropt & found upon it a green 
Egg, about the bignefs of a Cabbage feed. I placed 
it in the Houfe by a window. 


June 19, 
1797. 


Hired fifty dollars of John Roberts Jan' (paid) of 
Captain Richard Herrick twenty dollars (paid) of Wil- 
liam Gage one hundred Dollars the fame day (paid) 
Hired of Thomas Herrick fifty dollars (paid). 


December 1 1 , 
1797- 


Sent my Son Benjamin fifteen dollars.' 


December 19, 
1797- 


' This entry canceled on payment of the loan. 










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